Steelers linebacker Sean Spence won’t make his NFL debut this season.
The 2012 third-round pick started practicing a few weeks ago after being placed on the physically unable to perform list at the start of camp as a result of the serious knee injury he suffered in the 2012 preseason. The Steelers had to make a choice about putting him on the active roster this week and announced Wednesday that they won’t do that, which means Spence will go on injured reserve.
Spence said he was frustrated in comments to the Steelers website, but he said he still believes he will play in the NFL.
“I beat a lot of odds,” Spence said. “People thought I would never be able to walk again without a brace, never be able to run again without a brace. I did all of that. I think unfortunately I just didn’t have enough time. I have a sense of comfort knowing that I will be able to play again.”
Spence’s efforts to make that happen will resume during an offseason that is shaping up to be an interesting one in Pittsburgh.